There will be no shortage of exciting talent to watch at this prestigious event – some of the country’s best elite, youth and junior boxers will be battling it out championship style! Terris Smith and Anthony Varela, Vancouver Island’s very own hometown favourites will even be making their appearance – the two hailing from Victoria and Langford, respectively.

Here are 5 boxers you’ll want to keep your eye on during the upcoming Boxing Championships happening next week:

1. Rob Couzens

(Image / Ben Owens)

Rob is the current 69kg National Champion and Tacoma Golden Gloves out-of-state Champion, lives in Vancouver and has been boxing for 15 years. Rob is excited about the international experience he is garnering with the National Team and while he could do without the continuous sprints Coach Mihai Afloarei makes him do, he is always up for pushing himself to the limit and seeing improvements in and out of the gym.

Rob says boxing has shown him how much he can improve if he just keeps going when he feels like he needs to stop. “Boxing has opened me up to what I am capable of.” A lesson that likely helped him move from Bronze at the 2017 Nationals to achieving Gold in 2018.

2. Terris Smith

(Image / Ben Owens)

Terris found boxing 4 years ago participating in “A Fight for The Cause” – an annual charity boxing event held in Victoria. Terris trains out of Island Boxing with coach Jason Heit and competes in the 57kg Elite Female category.

After winning Gold in the 2019 Provincials, she claims her favourite thing about boxing is “the competitiveness, the adrenaline rush on fight night, the intensity and technical aspects of training. It’s unique because combat sports test you physically and mentally, especially when you’re in the ring with a tough opponent.” Outside of the ring, Terris just finished her degree in accounting.

3. Anthony Varela

(Image / Ben Owens)

Langford native Anthony Varela is competing in the 64kg Elite Male category and is looking forward to representing Island Boxing as part of the Provincial Team. “All the hard work I have put into boxing has paid off by bringing me to this point and I share my rewards with a team of like-minded people,” he says. “I am so happy to be where I am and excited for what is next.”

Anthony attributes a lot of his success to the sport of boxing. “I started boxing over 13 years ago when I was 14 years old,” he notes, “Boxing has always given me such a positive direction in my life. It motivates me to eat healthy, to train rather than party and makes me a stronger person both mentally and physically.”

4. Jordyn Konrad

(Image / Ben Owens)

Jordyn resides in Salmon Arm and fights out of Bulldogs Boxing Club in the 57kg Elite Female category. After transitioning from varsity swimming three years ago, Jordyn has acquired multiple titles including Silver Medalist at the 2018 SCChampionships and Top Elite and Top Female boxer in BC for 2018.

When asked about what she is most excited about heading into this year’s competition she states, “I love when teams come together to work as one, something magical happens when everyone stands with you.”

5. Sabri Faruk

(Image / Ben Owens)

Sabri fights for Maple Ridge Boxing in the Elite Male 81kg division. Over the last few years, Sabri has had many achievements in boxing winning multiple provincial titles – he is also a 2x National Bronze Medalist. Sabri found boxing three years ago doing some hand-pad work with a friend – it’s safe to say he took to it quite naturally!

His favourite thing about boxing is “the hard work and grind to achieve what you work for” stating that it has given him “the drive, passion and determination I never knew I had” With his eyes on a gold medal, we look forward to seeing all that he accomplishes.

If you want to take part in this historic event, tickets are still on sale and you can also check out the full week’s schedule of events on their website!